Combination lock



Sept. 19,1939.

R. E. CURRAN COMBINATION LOCK Filed Oct. 31, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l m. a f f w a 7 a Z Z w 3 2 6 m HW q 2 1 2 ,TWHMIH 1; m fl a 4 a Z o w Patented Sept. 19, 1939 2,173,680

UNITED STATES .i ATENT OFFICE COMBINATION LOCK Russell E. Curran, Ghicago, 111].

Application October 31, 1938, Serial No. 237,835

20 Claims. (01. 70-299) The present invention relates to combination push buttons have been pushed and the reset locks and is particularly concerned with combutton has been pushed; bination locks of the type adapted to be actuated Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken by a plurality of push buttons. While the invenn the p ne of e i e 8- of looking in tion is preferably embodied in a padlock, it may the direction of the arrows and showing the latch 5 also be utilized in other forms of locks and I do for t e k g arm when it is in the latchin not wish to limit myself specifically to any form position; of lock other than that covered by the appended Fig. 9 is a simila ag y view, taken on claims. the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. 5, looking in One of the objects of the invention is the prothe direction of the arrows, showing the latch 1 vision of an improved combination lock which t locking b When it has been actuated to is provided with means for resetting the look at p position; the time the lock is opened so that the lock will Fi 10 s a f n y sectional view. ta immediately be placed in condition for relocking. 0n e p a of t e e i3 0 glooking 1.) Another object, of the invention is the proin the direction Of the arrows and showing the vision of an improved combination lock of the reset p button and associated mechanism i push button type which is adapted to be unlocked the p n wh h i a mes before the reset with a minimum number of motions on the part p bu s b p d, a of the user. Fig. 11 is a similar view, taken on the plane of Another object of the invention is the prothe line ll-ll of Fig. 7, looking in the direction 20 vision of an improved combination lock having of the w h w n th reset p h button n means for facilitating the change of the o mbithe position which it assumes after it has been nation when the lock is in the unlocked condition. pushed wn and a e t resetting I' has Another object of the invention is the provision e n turned into eng gement with th p w f of an improved combination lock which is simple the s t P b o .25 in construction, sturdy, tamper-proof and capa- R f rr t0 Figs. 1 t0 e eembineitien 100k b le of being reset to provide a multiplicity of is shown in Fig. 2 in elevation in the form. of a different combinations, padlock and is indicated in its entirety by the Other objects and advantages of the invention numeral The 100k 20 Preferably comprises will be apparent from the following description a main housing 2| {Fig- 9 W c y b :3 and the accompanying drawings, in which simi- 'stentielly cylindrical in form and provided w lar characters of reference indicate similar parts flat end W311 22 and a cylindrical side wall throughout the several views. The main h u i 2| is p at its pp r d Referring to the drawings, of which there are and i preferably formed with an internal cylint h t drical bore 24 and a counterbore 25 at the top. -35

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the elements of The countel'bo're 25 terminates at an annular the lock shown in positions which they assume Shoulder 26 which adapted to rotatably prior to their assembly into the complete lock; Port a button k further to b described The Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a padlock main housing 2| is provided with a pair of gmbcdyjng t i t radially projecting bearing lugs 21 having regis- 40 Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken on tering apertures 28 for receiving the pivot Pi the plane f the line of 29 which pivotally supports a curved lock arm Fig. 4 is another vertical sectional view, taken The mam hqusmg also has an aperture on the plane of the line 4&5 of Fig 6, looking 3| located to receive the free end 32 of the lock in the direction of the armws; arm, and the lock arm is preferably provided 45 Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4, with the ele- 35 g gg g i gfi i gigi gfi 3 x5 2 merits of the lock in the ositions which the e assume after the lock has lien ooenedy earned by h co-Ver 35 of the lock The cover 35 15, of course,.also provided with 6 1S fiction f a 9 the an aperture 36 registering with the aperture 3! line 5-3 of Fig. 2, looking 1n the dl e 03f for the lock arm. 30 and the cover must also be the arrows and Showing the 100k 1n locked :provided with a slot 31 which registers with the dition; bearing lugs 21 for the lock arm 38. The lock Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the arm is provided with a curved camming surface position of the elements of the look after the .38 at its free end 32 and with alatching shoulder 55 39 located in the slot on the inner side of the lock arm 38 and adapted to engage a latch 46 (Fig. 1).

The latch 46 is shown in perspective in Fig. 1 and in various positions in Figs. 8 and 9. It comprises a metal plate having a centrally located aperture 4| for receiving a pivot pin or rivet 42, by means of which it is pivotally mounted on the inside of the housing 2|, The pivot pin 42 is located adjacent the aperture 3| and the shape of the latch 40 may be substantially semi-circula with a radially projecting arm 43.

Between the main body of the latch 45 and the arm 43 there is a slot 44 of arcuate shape by means of which the latch is adapted to clear the lock arm 35 when it is rotated to the position of Fig. 9. The leading edge 45 of the latch is adapted to engage in the slot above the shoulder 39 of the lock arm 3|] for the purpose of latching the arm in locked condition.

In order to urge the latch 40 into latching position, it is provided with an upwardly projecting lug 48 which may be engaged by a compression coil spring 47, the other end of which is engaged about a laterally projecting. pin 48 on the lug 49 carried by the inside of the main housing 2|. The lug 46 is in position to be engaged by a depending lug 58 carried by a release disc 5|, a fragment of which is shown in Fig. 8, the complete disc being shown in perspective in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 shows the latch 45 in the locking condition and Fig. 9 shows it in the position which it assumes when it is moved into unlatched condition by the release disc 5| against the spring 41. The purpose of the curved shield 33 and hump 3%. is to prevent the insertion of tools into the apertures 35 and 3| such as might be used to tamper with the lock.

All of the exposed parts of the lock are, of course, preferably made of tamper-proof metal, such as steel, and all of the other internal parts may be made of suitable less expensive metals, or of the same material.

The main housing 2| is preferably provided with a multiplicity of axially extending internal slots 52 preferably equally spaced on the inner side of the cylindrical wall 23 and extending from the bottom 22 to the open top thereof. The slots 52 are formed with a fiat outer wall 53 and a pair of diagonally extending side walls 54, 55 which approach each other as they extend in ward. This makes the slots of suitable form to receive a plurality of triangular lock bolts 56 which are preferably provided with a cross-section that is in the shape of a triangle having equal sides, so that the lock bolts 55 may be removed, rotated and reinserted in a different r0- tative position in the slots 52.

The lock bolts 56 are shorter than the depth of the main housing 2|, as can be seen in Fig. 6, and they are adapted to be urged upward by a plurality of compression coil spring 51, each of which has its upper end mounted about a cylindrical lug 58 on a lock bolt and its lower end retained in place by a similar pin 59 carried by the main housing 2|. The lock bolts have their lower portions at the corners thereof formed with a plurality of rectangular slots 89, BI, 62 and the slots 55-52 are at different elevations on the lock bolts 56. The purpose of having the different elevations is that the combination may be changed by rotating the lock bolt and reinserting it in itsslot 52 with one of the slots 60-62 at a different elevation.

The lock bolts 56 are adapted to be actuated by push buttons 63 and they are actuated by the push buttons 63 until the one of the slots 60-62 which then extends inward registers with the release disc 5|. Thus, it will be apparent that the difierent elevations of the slots fill-62 on the lock bolts 56 permit the changing of the combination, because it may require a greater or lesser number of pushes on the push buttons 53 to get the lock bolts in the unlocked position.

Each lock bolt 56 is also provided at its upper portion with a multiplicity of transverse shoulders 64 and beveled surfaces 55 in the form of a ratchet bar. Only the corner of the lock bolt 56 which extends inward is adapted to have its shoulders 64 and beveled surfaces 65 in position to be actuated by the push button 63 through the intermediary of a pawl 56 on the push button 63. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be observed that the shoulders 64 on the lock bolts 55 project into the cylindrical bore 24 in the main housing 2 I.

The release disc 5| previously mentioned may comprise a circular metal plate which is provided with a centrally located circular bore 6'1 for the purpose of receiving the actuating shaft 58 on the reset rotor 12. The diameter of the release disc 5| is such that its edge extends into the slots 60, 5| or 52 of the lock bolts 56 when these slots are in proper position. However, the release disc 5| is also provided with a plurality of slots 1!, each of which comprises a pair of diagonally extending side walls 12, 13, joined at an apex M and adapted to slidably receive the corner of any one of the locking bolts 56.

The angular slots. 1| in the release disc 5| are regularly spaced about the periphery of the release disc so that they register with all of the lock bolts 55 simultaneously. When the release disc 5| is in such position that its edge engages in one of the slots 6fi62, this disc prevents the longitudinal movement of all the lock bolts, but when the release disc moves into the position where the slots register with the inwardly projecting corners of the lock bolts 55, all the lock bolts may be moved longitudinally by means of the springs 5'! or by means of the push buttons 63.

The release disc 5| is provided with an arcuate aperture 15 of substantially rectangular form for passing the reset button i6 (Fig. 1) and permitting rotation of the release disc 5| while slidably engaging the reset button 76. The relatively shallow slot 11 (at the upper right of Fig. 1) of the release disc is for the purpose of passing a lug or rib l8 similarly located on the inner wall of the main housing 2|, the purpose of which will be explained later. The two relatively deep and narrow slots 19 and at the left and right of the release disc (Fig. 1) are for the purpose of passing the inwardly projecting flanges Bi and 82 similarly located on the inside of main housing 2| (Fig. 1)'.

The reset rotor l5 comprises a relatively thick circular plate provided with an axially extending stem 58 which is adapted to project from the lock and is to be used for rotating the rotor l9.

vided with an arcuate recess 85 which is adapted 75 is flush with the top of the button rack 95.

to receive a compression spring 86 that engagesan upwardly extending. lug 8'! carried by the-bottom 22 of the main housing 2I urging the rotor ID in a counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 1. The

upper surface of the rotor I is also provided with an arcuate recess 86 for receiving a coil spring 89, one end of which engages the left end (Fig. 1) of slot 68 and the other end of the coil spring 89 engages a downwardly projecting lug 96 carried by the release disc I. I

The rotor I0 also has located in its upper surface and at its periphery another arcuate rectangular slot 9| provided with an upwardly extending lug 92 midway between its ends. The lug 92 is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 93 carried by the reset button I6 and is shown: also in Figs. and: 11.

The push buttons 63 and I6 are slidably mounted in a. button rack 95 (Fig. 1) comp-rising a substantially cylindrical metal member which is formed with a centrally located bore 96 adapted to receive the stem 68 of the reset rotor. The button rack has a substantially cylindrical outer wall 91 and a flat top flange 98, and the bore 96 may be surrounded by a sleeve 99, the hollow space I66 being for the purpose of reducing the weight. The button rack 95 has a radially projecting flange l6! slightly spaced from its upper surface and projecting beyond the side wall 9! and adapted to be received in the counterbore against the annular shoulder 26 so that the button rack is rotatably mounted in the main housing 2i. The flange I6: has a radial stop lug I62 which is located between the shoulders I03, I64 of a slot in the main housing 2I at the top (Fig. 1). Thus, the rotation of the button rack 95 is limited to a predetermined range determined by the location of the shoulders I63, I64.

The thickness of the flange IIJI is equal to the depth of the counterbore 25 so that the upper surface of flange IBI is flush with the top of the main housing 2!. The button rack is adapted to be retained in the main housing by means of the cover member 35 which is open at the top and bottom, but has an inwardly projecting annular flange I66 at the top. The annular flange I66 is adapted to overlie the flange I! of the button rack and the upper surface of flange I66 Due to the various steps and angles involved between the flanges I66, IOI and shoulder 26, it is impossible to insert a blade or other tool for the purpose of tampering with the lock.

The cover member 35 has a substantially cylindrical outer wall which slidably engages the main housing 2! and covers the main housing 2I. It may be a tight frictional fit on the main housing 2| and may have a plurality of inwardly projecting ribs I6? adapted to engage in the complementary slots I66 in main housing 2I to pre vent relative rotation between the cover 35 and main housing 2I. The cover member 35 is, of course, pressed on the main housing 2| when the lock arm 36 is in unlocked condition and the bearing lugs 2! pass into the slot 37. When the lock is in the locked condition, the lock arm projects into the aperture 36 so that cover cannot be removed when the lock is in locked condition.

The button rack 95 may comprise a metal memher which is provided with a multiplicity of apertures H6 of substantially trapezoidal form for receiving the upper complementary portion III of the push buttons 63 or a similarly formed portion H2 of the reset button 16. There is but one reset-button and it is disposed in the aperture II3 (Fig. 2), all the rest of the apertures III! being used for slidablysupporting push buttons 63.

Both the push buttons 63 and the reset button I6 are enlarged at their lower ends, thereby providing a shoulder II 4 or H5 which engages the lower side of the top plate 98 of the button rack 95 and limits the outward movement of thesebuttons. The push buttons 63 maybe urged out-- Ward by a multiplicity of compression coil springs- II6 which engage the lower end of each push button and also engage the bottom II'I (Fig. 6) of each of the apertures H0 in the button rack. The reset buttonv I6 may be provided with 2. laterally projecting lug H8 and the lug H8 and the coil spring I-IB may be housed in an aperture I26 (Fig. 6) so that the coil spring urges the reset button I6 upward."

The push buttons 63 are each provided with a pawl 66 pivotally mounted on a pin HI and urged to the outwardly projecting position of Fig; 1, by a spring I22. The pawl engages the upper end I23 of the slot I24 in the push button 63, the end of said slot acting as a stop member. The lower side of the pawl 66 (Fig. '1) ispro vided with-a flat shoulder for engaging the shoul ders 64 on the lock bolts 56-. The upper edgeof' each pawl 66 is downwardly curved like a-ca'm topermit the pawl to be cammed inwardly when it engages the beveled surface 65 ona lock bolt in the upward movement of the push button" 63.

The apertures III] in the button rack 95 and the push button 63 are so located that the pawls 66 engage the projecting shoulders 64 on the lock ing bolts 56 when the button rack is in the po-- sition of Fig. 3. When the button rack is suit-; ably rotated, however, its pawls 66 may move out of engagement with the shoulders 64 on the locking bolts 56 and permit the locking boltto be forced upward to the unlocked position.

The shape and size of the push button must be" such as to allow the downward stroke-to'cover a distance slightly less than the length of two of the three lower teeth of the lock bolt, but more than the length of one of these three teeth. The length of the top tooth is once and a half the" length of one of the three lower teeth. Other wise, there would be no way of advancing the lock bolt a predetermined distance downward upon each stroke of the push button.

The cylindrical portion 91 of the button rack 95 is provided with a peripherally extending groove I26 adapted to receive a wire I2'I which serves as a pivot for a multiplicity of' pawls I28 located in the groove I26. Groove I26 communi-- cates with a plurality of axially extending grooves I29 for receiving the pawls I26 and the pawls I28 are also urged to upward position by springs [36' secured in the grooves I29.

The upper edge of each groove I 26 serves 'as'a stop and the pawls I28 are adapted to be cammed downward in the same manner as described with respect to the pawls 66. Pawls I23 act as retaining pawls for the locking bolts 56,;as shown in Fig. 7, while the pawls 66 act as engaging pawls between the buttons 63 and the locking bolts 56,. The reset button 56 is also provided with a pawl I 3I (Fig. 7), which is spring pressed downward (Fig. 7) and pivotally mounted on a pin I32.) Pawl' I3I acts as a retaining pawl for the reset button I6 and engages the shoulder I8 in the main'hous ing 2I when the reset button I6 is pushed downweird, as' shown in Fig. 7. Pawl' I 3| is adapted to be cammed inward to pass the shoulder I8 when the reset button 16 moves from the position of Fig. 6 to Fig. 7.

The reset button 16 is also provided with a pawl 93 at its lower end for the purpose of engaging the upwardly projecting rib 92 and connecting the reset rotor and push button rack together for rotation toward the left in Fig. 11. Pawl 93 is likewise spring-urged in a downward direction and may be cammed. upward to pass over the rib 92, but will engage the rib upon reverse movement. It should be noted that the apertures I I9 also open at I33 (Fig. 1) at the side of the cylindrical part of push button rack 95 so that the pawls 66 may project from the openings 33 into engagement with the locking bolts 56. The button rack 95 may be made in two pieces, as shown in Fig. 6, secured together by screw bolts as shown in Fig. 2, passing through the upper plate and threaded into the lower one.

The operation of the lock is as follows: The lock is in locked condition when its locking bolts 56 are in their uppermost positions, being urged to these positions by the springs 51, as shown in Fig. 6. The lock arm 30 is then retained by the latching member 40, which engages above the shoulder 39 (Fig. 5), as shown in Fig. 8. The latching member 40 is urged to this position by the spring 41.

The proper push buttons to be pressed to open the lock depend upon the location of the slots 69 62 on those portions of the locking bolts 56 which are turned radially inward. The push buttons 63 and locking bolts 56 are preferably so arranged that it is not necessary to take more than two or three pushes on any one push button, as this will give a sufiicient number of different changes of combination and the operation of the lock may be simplified when only a few pushes need be given. In order to open the lock the operator who knows the combination, pushes certain of the push buttons 63 a predetermined number of times, such as once or twice. Some may be pushed once and some may be pushed twice,

- depending upon the combination.

When the proper push buttons have been pushed the proper number of times, all of the slots, such as the slots 6| in the locking bolts 56,

will be in registry with the release disc 5|. The

reset push button 16 should then be pressed and it will be held .downward by the pawl |3| engaging the rib 18. The operator should then grasp the stem 68 of reset rotor and turn this rotor in a clockwise direction. The rotor 68 has a resilient connection with the release disc 5| through the spring 89 and lug 90 for the purpose of preventing any damage to the look by persons applying tools to the stem 68. The spring 89 is of such strength, however, that it is adapted to actuate the release disc 5| against the action of any other springs tending to resist this movement.

A lug 50 on the release disc 5| will then engage the lug 46 on the latch 40 and move the latch 40 from the position of Fig. 8 to Fig. 9, effecting a release of the lock arm 39 which may then be.

pulled to the open position of Fig. 5. Obviously the strength of spring 89 must be greater than that of spring 41 to accomplish this result. If desired, the lock arm 30 may be provided with a suitable spring I35 wrapped around the pin 29 at both sides and engaging the arm 30 to urge it to the open position of Fig. 5. As the rotor 19 is turned, the lug 92 will urge the pawl 93 upward and. pass the pawl 93, and will thereafter connect the reset rotor 10 and the button rack 95 through the agency of the lug 92, pawl 93 and reset button 16, as shown in Fig. 11.

The rotation of the rotor 10 is against the opposition of the spring 86 which is compressed against upwardly projecting lug 81. As soon as the operator lets go of the stem 68, spring 86 tends to move the rotor 10 in a counter-clockwise direction and the rotor '19, through the agency of pawl 93, carries with it the button rack 95 and the release disc 5|. The release disc 5| moves from the position of Fig. 5 to that of Fig. 4, where the triangular slots H are in registry with the complementary corners of the lock bolts 56. Lock bolts 56 spring upward to the position of Fig. 6 under the influence of springs 51.

The counter-clockwise rotation of the reset rotor 10, under the influence of spring 86, carries the rotor 19 back to normal position, but carries the button rack 95 back past its normal position. Then the pawl |3| has passed beyond the end of rib l8, permitting the reset button to spring upward under the influence of its spring, and the rotation of the release disc 5| also permits the latching member to move from the position of Fig, 9 back to that of Fig. 8, except that the lock arm 30 is not in its engaging position.

The springing upward of the reset button 13 disconnects the button rack from the reset rotor, because the pawl 93 rises above the rib 92. Thereafter the button rack moves in a clockwise direction under the influence of springs I49 until the relative positions of the pawl 93 and rib 92 are shown in Fig. 10. The lock has then been reset for immediate locking by pushing down of the lock arm 39. It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved combination lock which is provided with means for resetting the lock at the same time that the lock arm is opened. My combination lock is capable of a great many different combinations and requires a minimum number of different operations for its unlocking and resetting.

It is only necessary to push predetermined buttons a predetermined number of times to open the lock and then push a reset button and give the stem a turn, which will not only open the lock, but reset it.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a permutation lock, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts slidably mounted in said housing and provided with ratchet teeth, a locking member adapted to be latched in locking positions, latching means for securing said locking member, and a rotatable release member mounted in said housing and adapted to have its edge engaged in slots in said locking bolts, the location of said slots in said locking bolts determining the combination of said lock, said locking bolts being substantially triangular in form and having ratchet teeth, and suitably located slots on each of the corners thereof.

2. In a permutation lock, the combination of mounted in said housing and provided with ratchet teeth, a locking member adapted to be latched in locking positionalatchingv means for securing said locking member, and a rotatable release member mounted in said housing and adapted to have its edgeengaged in slots in said locking bolts, the location of said slots in said locking bolts determining the combination of'said lock, said locking bolts being substantially triangular in form and having ratchet teeth and suitably located slots on each of the corners thereof, and saidlocking bolts being formed with equal sides and slidably mounted in a complementary guide, whereby each of the different corners or" said locking bolts may be placed in operative position as desired.

3. In a combination lock, the combination of a supporting housing formed with a plurality of guides for receiving a plurality of locking bolts, a cover for said housing, and a push button rack carried by said housing and means for operatively connecting said push buttons with said locking bolts, whereby the push buttons may actuate the locking bolts, and means carried by the button rack for holding the locking bolts in predetermined position, said button rack being rotatably mounted, whereby said latter means may be moved laterally out of engagement with said locking bolts to release said locking bolts.

4. In a combination lock, the'combination of a supporting housing formed with a plurality of guides for receiving a plurality of locking bolts, a cover for said housing, a push button rack carried by said housing, means for operatively connecting said push buttons with said locking bolts, whereby the push buttons may actuate the locking bolts, means carried by the button rack for holding the locking bolts in predetermined position, said button rack being rotatably mounted, whereby said latter means may be moved laterally out of engagement with said locking bolts to release said locking bolts, and means for resetting the mechanism of said lock in its looking position when said lock is opened.

5. In a combination lock, the combination of a supporting housing formed with a plurality of guides for receiving a plurality of locking bolts, a cover for said housing, a push button rack carried by said housing, means for operatively connecting said push buttons with said locking bolts, whereby the push buttons may actuate the locking bolts, means carried by the button rack for holding the locking bolts in predetermined position, said button rack being rotatably mounted, whereby said latter means may be moved laterally out of engagement with said locking bolts to release said locking bolts, comprising a reset rotor and a release disc, said disc having slots for passing said locking bolts when in a predetermined position.

6. In a combination lock of the push button type, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts and push buttons for actuating said locking bolts, said locking bolts being provided with slots for passing the edge of a release disc when the bolts are in predetermined position, a release disc rotatably mounted in said housing, and having slots for passing said locking bolts when the release disc is in predetermined position, and a rotatable reset rotor carried by said housing and adapted to actuate said release disc.

7. In a combination lock of the push button type, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts and push buttons for actuating said locking bolts, said locking bolts being provided with slots for passing the edge of a release disc when the bolts are in predetermined position, a release disc rotatably mounted in said housing, and having slots for passing said looking bolts when the release disc is in predetermined position, a rotatable reset rotor carried by said housing and adapted to actuate said release disc, and a resilient connection between said rotor and said release disc, whereby the release disc cannot be damaged by excessive force applied to the rotor.

8. In a combination lock of the push button type, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts and push buttons for actuating said locking bolts, said locking bolts being provided with slots for passing the edge of a release disc when the bolts are in predetermined position, a release disc rotatably mounted in said housing, and having slots for passing said locking bolts when the release disc is in predetermined position, and a rotatable reset rotor carried by said housing and adapted to actuate said release disc, a button rack for supporting said push buttons, a reset push button carried by said housing, said push button being adapted to connect said rotor and release disc for engaging said rotor, said reset push button also being carried by said button rack.

9. In a combination lock of the push button type, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts and push buttons for actuating said locking bolts, said locking bolts being provided with slots for passing the edge of a release disc when the bolts are in predetermined position, a release disc rotatably mounted in said housing, and having slots for passing said locking bolts when the release disc is in predetermined position, a rotatable reset rotor carried by said housing and adapted to actuate said release disc, a button rack for supporting said push buttons, and a reset push button carried by said housing, said push button being adapted to connect said rotor and release disc for engaging said rotor, said reset push button also being carried by said button rack, and means for holding said reset push button in its engaging position over a predetermined range of movement whereby the reset push button is released at a predetermined point in the operation of the resetting mechanism.

10. In a permutation lock, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts s1id ablymounted in said housing and provided with ratchet teeth, a locking member adapted to be latched in locking positions, latching means for securing said locking member, a rotatable release member mounted in said housing and adapted to have its edge engaged in slots in said locking bolts, the location of said slots in said locking bolts determining the combination of said lock, and a plurality of push buttons carried by said lock and adapted to actuate said locking bolts, said push buttons being slidably mounted in a push button rack, saidpush button rack being rotatably mounted in said housing.

11. In a combination lock of the push button type, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts slidably mounted in said housing, push'buttons for controlling the motion of said locking bolts, said locking bolts being slidably mounted in regulator polygonal sockets whereby the locking bolts may be removed and re-inserted in different rotative positions in the sockets to change the combination, a locking member controlled by said bolts, said locking member comprising a pivotally mounted arm having a retaining shoulder, and latching means for engaging said shoulder and locking said arm with said shoulder located inside said housing, said latching means being controlled by a rotatable release disc having its edge adapted to move through slots in said locking bolts when said locking bolts are in unlocked position, and a rotatable push button rack for slidably supporting said push buttons, said push button rack being rotatably mounted in said housing whereby it may be rotated to release said locking bolts.

12. In a permutation lock, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts slidably mounted in said housing and provided with ratchet teeth, a locking member adapted to be latched in looking positions, latching means for securing said locking member, a rotatable release member mounted in said housing and adapted to have its edge engaged in slots in said locking bolts, the location of said slots in said locking bolts determining the combination of said lock, and a plurality of push buttons carried by said lock and adapted to actuate said locking bolts, a reset push button carried by said rack and having a pawl for engaging a shoulder carried by said housing, said look also including a rotor, and said reset push button having a pawl engaging a shoulder on said rotor when the reset push button is held by the first-mentioned pawl.

13. In a permutation lock, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts slidably mounted in said housing and provided with ratchet teeth, a locking member adapted to be latched in locking positions, latching means for securing said locking member, a rotatable release member mounted in said housing and adapted to have its edge engaged in slots in said locking bolts, the location of said slots in said locking bolts determining the combination of said lock, and a plurality of push buttons carried by said lock and adapted to actuate said locking bolts, a reset push button carried by said rack and having a pawl for engaging a shoulder carried by said housing, said look also including a rotor, and said reset push button having a pawl engaging a shoulder on said rotor when the reset push button is held by the first-mentioned pawl, said rotor having a protruding stem whereby the rotor may be rotated to pass the second-mentioned pawl and to cause engagement between the second-mentioned pawl and its engaging shoulder upon return movement of the rotor.

14. In a permutation lock, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts slidably mounted in said housing and provided with ratchet teeth, a locking member adapted to be latched in looking position, latching means for securing said locking member, a rotatable release member mounted in said housing and adapted to have its edge engaged in slots in said locking bolts, the location of said slots in said locking bolts determining the combination of said lock, and a plurality of push buttons carried by said lock and adapted to actuate said locking bolts, a reset push button carried by said rack and having a pawl for engaging a shoulder carried by said housing, said lock also including a rotor, and said reset push button having a pawl engaging a shoulder on said rotor when the reset push button is held by the first-mentioned pawl, said rotoi having a protruding stem whereby the rotor may be rotated to pass the second-mentioned pawl and to cause engagement between the second-mentioned pawl and its engaging shoulder upon return movement of the rotor, the return movement of said rotor carrying said push button rack with it, by virtue of the connection provided by the release push button.

15. In a permutation lock, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts slidably mounted in said housing and provided with ratchet teeth, a locking member adapted to be latched in looking position, latching means for securing said locking member, a rotatable release member mounted in said housing and adapted to have its edge engaged in slots in said locking bolts, the location of said slots in said locking bolts determining the combination of said lock, and a plurality of push buttons carried by said lock and adapted to actuate said locking bolts, a reset push button carried by said rack and having a pawl for engaging a shoulder carried by said housing, said look also including a rotor, and. said reset push button having a pawl engaging a shoulder on said rotor when the reset push button is held by the first-mentioned pawl, said rotor having a protruding stem whereby the rotor may be rotated to pass the second-mentioned pawl and to cause engagement between the second-mentioned pawl and its engaging shoulder upon return movement of the rotor, the return movement of said rotor carrying said push button rack with it, by virtue of the connection provided by the release push button, the movement of the push button rack causing the first-mentioned pawl to run off the end of said shoulder on said housing to release the first-mentioned pawl and release the reset push button.

16. A permutation lock of the push button type, having slidable locking bolts provided with notches, and a rotatable release disc, said disc having radial notches for passing parts of said locking bolts, a housing for housing said bolts and said release disc, a rotor in said housing, having an axially projecting stem, said release disc being rotatably mounted on said stem, and spring means between said rotor and release disc, whereby the application of excessive force to said stem cannot damage said release disc.

17. A permutation lock of the push button type, having slidable locking bolts provided with notches and a rotatable release disc, said disc having radial notches for passing parts of said locking bolts, a housing for housing said bolts and said release disc, a rotor in said housing, having an axially projecting stem, said release disc being rotatably mounted on said stem, and spring means between said rotor and release disc, whereby the application of excessive force to said stem cannot damage said release disc, and a rotatable push button rack having an aperture surrounding said stem and rotatably mounted in said housing, said push button rack having a plurality of push buttons for actuating said locking bolts.

18. A permutation lock of the push button type, having slidable locking bolts provided with notches and a rotatable release disc, said disc having radial notches for passing parts of said locking bolts, a housing for housing said bolts and said release disc, a rotor in said housing, having an axially projecting stem, said release disc being rotatably mounted on said stem, and spring means between said rotor and release disc, whereby the application of excessive force to said stem cannot damage said release disc, and a rotatable push button rack having an aperture surrounding said stem and rotatably mounted in said housing, said push button rack having a plurality of push buttons for actuating said locking bolts, and spring means for urging said push button rack into a predetermined rotative position.

19. A permutation lock of the push button type, having slidable locking bolts provided with notches and a rotatable release disc, said disc having radial notches for passing parts of said locking bolts, a housing for housing said bolts and said release disc, a rotor in said housing, having an axially projecting stem, said release disc being rotatably mounted on said stem, and spring means between said rotor and release disc, whereby the application of excessive force to said stem cannot damage said release disc, and a rotatable push button rack having an aperture surrounding said stem and rotatably mounted in said housing, said push button rack having a plurality of push buttons for actuating said locking bolts, said push button rack also including a reset push button adapted to connect the rotor and release disc for simultaneous rotation in a predetermined direction, to effect a resetting of the lock automatically.

20. In a combination lock of the push button type, the combination of a housing with a plurality of locking bolts slidably mounted in said housing, and a locking member controlled by said locking bolts, a release disc adapted to be turned to open the look when the locking bolts are in predetermined position, said release disc being actuated by a reset mechanism adapted to automatically reset the lock to be locked upon a mere closure of its locking member.

RUSSELL E. CURRAN. 

